Trade and sustainable development Goal 2

This paper looks at policy measures that can affect trade and markets, including tariffs, export restrictions and 'behind-the-border' domestic support measures such as input and output subsidies, as well as market price support. With trade recognized as being key for the implementation of Agenda 2030, policy-makers will need to ensure that related policy measures are taken into consideration as part of their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), Zero Hunger. The targets that set out the level and ambition of SDG 2, as well as trade itself, often constitute distinct policy priorities for governments. Policy measures that are designed to achieve one target may have unintended negative consequences on other targets, both within the country where the measure is applied and in trading partner countries. The report suggests that it is important that policy-makers identify and recognize areas where difficult trade-offs may be needed between competing policy objectives, and identify ways in which these can be addressed. While the different targets set out under SDG 2 are mutually interdependent and interrelated, it is important to address the trade policy dimension of each component individually as part of a broader plan of action.